章節 8: Thorny journey
Reinhard looked at Subaru with genuine surprise. "I'm really impressed that you're okay," he commented, remembering how devastating Elsa's last attack had been.
"I'm fine! This club protected me from the cuts," Subaru replied with a proud smile as he held up the split club for show.
Kaoru was also incredulous. "That woman seemed unbeatable, but at least we got rid of her for now," he thought, noticing the cracks in the apparent victory.
Reinhard picked up the club and his eyes opened. "This is split in half..."
Before they could process, Subaru's tracksuit began to tear, revealing a deep gash in his abdomen. "Subaru!" Kaoru and Emilia shouted in unison as Subaru fell to the ground, his vision blurring. The last thing he thought was how cute Emilia looked, even in panic.
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While Subaru remained unconscious, Emilia closed the wound with healing magic, the glow of water mana gently illuminating the spot. "That should be enough," she declared, brushing aside a lock of hair as Kaoru and Reinhard watched in silence.
Kaoru knelt down beside her. "Really, thank you. I don't know how you did it, but you saved my friend," he said sincerely.
Emilia looked at him tenderly. "You don't have to thank me. You saved me too."
Kaoru smiled and introduced himself. "Kaoru Shimizu."
"Emilia, simply," she replied with a small smile as she stood up.
"Do you have somewhere to go?" asked Reinhard as he watched Kaoru.
Kaoru shook her head, sighing. "We are beggars, though it sounds sad to say so openly."
"I would have no problem taking you into my home as guests," Reinhard offered with a polite smile. Kaoru pondered for a moment, but before answering, Emilia interjected.
"I want to reward them too," she said firmly. "You should come with me."
Kaoru looked at Subaru, still unconscious. "Well, I guess we'll go with Emilia. It's not for anything personal, I'm just thinking about what Subaru would do if he had a choice, and I'd follow him."
"Understood," Reinhard replied, nodding with a slight smile.
Kaoru, however, raised a doubt. "What about the girl and the old man?"
Reinhard sighed. "Officially, I can't ignore what they did.... But, unfortunately, I'm not on duty."
Emilia laughed softly. "You're a bad knight~"
Kaoru and Emilia approached Felt, who was kneeling beside old Rom's unconscious body. "Is that man your family?" asked Emilia in a kindly tone.
"Sort of," Felt admitted. "Old Rom is all I have...he's like my grandpa."
Emilia nodded, smiling a wistful smile. "I see. I only have one relative too, but... he sleeps when I need him most. Though I'd never tell him if he were awake."
Kaoru watched Emilia curiously, wondering who she was referring to, but decided to remain silent.
Felt, somewhat uncomfortably, looked up at Emilia. "I thought you'd be harder on me... after all, I stole your insignia. But you saved me, so I can't stay in your debt." She reached out and handed the insignia back to him.
As soon as the stone on the insignia glowed slighty, Reinhard became alarmed. "That.... Is that what I think it is?" He gripped Felt's arm tightly.
"Hey! That hurts!" cried Felt and tried to wriggle free.
"What's wrong, Reinhard, why are you reacting like that?" asked Kaoru worriedly.
"What's your name, and what's your last name?" asked Reinhard, turning to Felt.
"F-Felt," she stammered. "I don't have a last name or anything... and I'm about 15 years old. Now let me go!" she tried unsuccessfully to break free.
Reinhard turned to Emilia with a solemn expression. "Emilia-sama, I'm afraid I can't keep my promise. I'll have to take you with me."
Emilia looked at him confused. "Is this because she tried to steal my badge?"
It's a very serious crime to steal that, and I can't ignore it, so I'm sorry, but you're coming with me.
Don't mess with me! Just because you saved me doesn't mean...
Reinhard makes a gesture with his hand that immediately makes Felt feel faint.
That wasn't like a knight either, replies Emilia.
There really is something important going on here Kaoru thought, watching Reinhard's reaction to the insignia. This insignia has something very relevant, after all, it reminds me of my last moments in the previous loop... we were desperately searching for it before Elsa slaughtered us.
A sudden thought crossed his mind, connecting the pieces with what Raigor had mentioned to him hours before. "The king of Lugunica died without leaving an heir, and now the Council of Wise Men rules in his place. The most important families have sent their representatives to compete for the throne..."
"That is to say... Emilia and that girl are contenders for the throne! That's why the assassin was so interested in that insignia. If you lose it, it could somehow mean that you're out of the game."
"What the hell did I just get myself into?"
Reinhard carries felt in his arms and hands the badge to Emilia.
"Emilia, I will probably be looking for you soon. I hope you understand."
Emilia nodded, holding the insignia carefully, but her eyes reflected concern.
Reinhard looked at Subaru, who was still unconscious, and then at Kaoru.
"Please take care of Subaru and Kaoru."
Before he left, Reinhard looked up at the night sky, where the moon shone with deceptive calm.
"This may be the last time we see the moon in peace."
With this cryptic statement, Reinhard turned and disappeared into the shadows of the night, leaving Kaoru and Emilia alone with the badge in their hands.
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Kaoru let out a long sigh of relief, letting the pent-up tension fall away.
"Well, that was... too strange. At least, from my perspective as someone who doesn't understand any of this."
Emilia looked at him with a mixture of weariness and nervousness.
"I wouldn't know what to say either if you asked me."
Kaoru arched an eyebrow, crossing his arms as he pointed to the badge Emilia held carefully.
"By the way, Emilia... That badge is something important, isn't it?"
The half-elf looked down at the emblem badge in her hands, hesitating for a moment before nodding.
"My insignia... It is proof that I am a candidate for the throne of Lugunica."
Kaoru frowned slightly, feigning surprise even though he had already come to that conclusion.
"I've heard rumors... about how the king of Lugunica died without leaving an heir and that the next queen will be chosen from among the candidates who receive the dragon's blessing. I guess you're one of them."
Emilia nodded with a sigh.
"That's right. But... changing the subject, can you tell me what your relationship with Subaru is? You seem close."
Kaoru smiled slightly, noticing the curious tone in her voice.
"Subaru and I come from a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom. We decided to come to the capital in search of better opportunities to survive. If I had to describe it... I would say we are like brothers."
"Brothers?" Emilia murmured thoughtfully. "And why did they come to help me? It's strange... I don't know them, but they helped me. How did they know I lost my badge?"
Kaoru bent down to carry Subaru, who was still lying unconscious.
"It was simple. We saw you at the market a few hours ago. Subaru was completely smitten with you," he said with a slight smile. And while we were looking at you, that blonde-haired girl snatched your badge and ran away."
"Do he think I'm pretty?" Emilia interrupted, surprised, with a slight blush.
Kaoru laughed softly.
"And so do I, to be honest. Your silver hair and those hypnotic eyes are... well, hard to ignore."
Emilia looked away, noticeably more flushed.
"Y-you too... I don't know what to say to that."
Kaoru winked at her, clearly enjoying the half-elf's reaction.
"I'm not expecting an answer; don't worry. Although... If I had asked for a reward, I would have chosen something much more interesting~." His tone became a bit lower and more playful.
"W-What are you saying?!" Emilia exclaimed, visibly nervous and embarrassed. "D-Don't say weird things!"
Kaoru let out a light laugh and changed the subject. He surveyed the surroundings, from the dilapidated houses to the darkness that enveloped the slums.
"Speaking of which... You mentioned you'd take us with you. Do you live nearby?"
Emilia shook her head, still trying to pull herself together.
"No, I live outside the capital, in the domain of Roswaal L. Mathers. I came here with one of his servants, but... we got separated. It was my fault. I was so excited to explore the city that I didn't realize what was happening until it was too late."
Kaoru couldn't help but arch an eyebrow at how awkward Emilia was. Inwardly, she reflected on how her little distraction had triggered a series of fatal events.
"Then we should look for your maid" he said decisively. "She must be worried about you. I'll take care of carrying Subaru."
Emilia nodded shyly, still somewhat embarrassed.
"Y-yes... Thank you very much, Kaoru."
Kaoru just smiled.
"Let's go; let's not waste any more time."
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Xheazed We finish The Arc 1.
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